Tri-Valley Real Estate Blog

How Much Will Half a Million Get You in San Ramon?

by Leave a Comment

To be honest, not much. Prices in the Contra Costa Valley in San Ramon Valley have skyrocketed over the last 10 years and at the moment you can’t buy anything for less than $500,000. Let me rephrase that, you can’t buy anything for less than $650,000, and even then you’re looking at condos and townhouses.

This isn’t to say that this area is unaffordable because homes sit on the market for typically less than 30 days, so people are buying but it’s all relative. The cost of living might be a little bit more but so are wages and salaries around our area. To give you an idea of what homes are going for these days, here are some of the lowest-priced homes to some of the highest priced homes in San Ramon. [Read more…]

The Real Reason Your House Isn’t Selling

by Leave a Comment

House been on on the market a long time? Maybe just a few weeks without any bites? Perhaps you’re just setting yourself up for success when you do list? Whatever the reason is that you’re selling, you certainly don’t want to be on the market any longer than you have to.

In doing research yesterday I came across several houses that have been on the market for more than a year. That’s very unusual in this hot market. Even most markets around the US are seeing a four-month absorption rate, meaning that if no new listings hit the market today, it would only take less than four months to completely eliminate every listing on the market. So, what is up with these houses that have been on the market 300 – 400 days or more?

In my experience it really only comes down to three things:

[Read more…]

How to Choose a Realtor®

by Leave a Comment

How to Choose a Realtor®

Having the right Realtor® is a huge part of ensuring the home shopping and buying OR selling experience is a good one. A good Realtor® is constantly working for you. They’re constantly finding homes that meet your search criteria, sometimes even before they’re officially on the market, meeting you to look at potential homes on YOUR schedule and pulling strings with colleagues in the business to get your deal to go through. When selling your home, they work just as hard or harder. Home buying and selling can also be so emotionally and physically exhausting, that a good Realtor® is also an encourager and occasionally needed a reality check for you during the process.  A bad Realtor® is none of that and tons of frustration and even heartache. When choosing the RIGHT Realtor® for you be scrupulous. It’s no little wonder that choosing the wrong Realtor® is one of the many reasons homes fail to sell. Therefore, keep these Realtor® choosing mistakes in mind, when you start the hunt. [Read more…]

Anyone Can Write a Positive Review – Are They Real?

by Leave a Comment

“As a first time homeowner, I really appreciated Dale’s expertise. He’s thorough and available to answer all of our silly questions! We didn’t have an agent, and Dale was very easy to find. We were looking for information on a new development, and Dale was the one agent who’s informative youtube  video showed up in a google search! We thought it was early on in the process but contacted him, he responded right away, and said it was a good thing we spoke up when we did, the units were not even built yet but were selling fast.” – Manda Z.

[Read more…]

Repeat Home Buyer in Alameda County California

by Leave a Comment

Repeat Home Buyer in Alameda County California

There is no greater compliment than having a repeat buyer or seller. I’d love having repeat clients because I know that they’ve trusted be enough to do the job once, they know I will do an exceptional job the next time. From real estate investments, first-time homebuyers, to repeat buyers, having someone come back to you for the same job, means that they were satisfied before, and they know I will get the job done this time.

Repeat Home Buyer in Alameda County California“I have done several real estate transactions with Dale and would highly recommend him for any Bay Area transaction. He is very knowledgeable, professional, energetic and responsive- and he is also very fun to work with! Dale assisted us tremendously with putting our offer together and were so  thrilled the the seller picked ours out of the multiple offers they received.” ~ Zillow Review

[Read more…]

Simple Ways to Get Your House Ready for Grad Parties

by Leave a Comment

May is coming to an end and June is just around the corner, meaning it’s time for graduation and grad parties. No doubt your grad has probably kept you busy through the year with many different preparations for getting to the big day. All the things that surround and lead up to the ceremony can quickly become overwhelming or stressful, including throwing a graduation party to celebrate the grad with family and friends. Have no fear we are here to help with some grad party prep tips to get your home ready to receive visitors and congratulate your grad on a job well done. [Read more…]

All New California Homes Will Have Solar Panels

by Leave a Comment

California is becoming the first state where renewable energy is mandatory. Solar panels are the mainstream form of energy and the states Energy Commission is expected to approve new energy standards that would require solar panels on the roofs of nearly all new homes, condominiums, and apartment buildings from 20/20 onward. There may be exceptions for homes that can’t fit solar panels or if the roof would be blocked by taller buildings or trees. However, if this is not the case, all new construction will require solar panels. [Read more…]